Inspiring 815: Judge Patrick Yarbrough

Judge Patrick Yarbrough has been a judge in the Rockford Juvenile Court System for the past eleven years. but his roots in the city started long before that.

"I am a lifelong resident of Winnebago County." said Yarbrough.

Staying in Rockford was an easy decision for Yarbrough. While he says becoming a judge was never part of his plan, taking on that role came with another distinction - the first African American judge in Winnebago County.

It's a title Yarbrough doesn't think makes him any different.

"I think that's just something that I take with the title, I don't emphasize that. Other people have, but I just do the job and try do the best I can." said Yarbrough.

But some members of the community think otherwise. That's why the Ethnic Heritage Museum currently has an exhibit dedicated to his life.

"The things I have here in my chambers, some being displayed in the museum, reflect my feelings I have about certain things, and remind me of good things." said Yarbrough.